The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-12-24
UNEASY DEMOCRATS.

They Begin to- Suspect That the President
Has Made a Serious Mistake.
". 4. McB., in Cincinnati Enquirer.
The battle for the presidency will be fought
in Congress. The record of the next six months
fill foreshadow the result. and will require the
best of political navigators to keep off the rocks
and shoals.
Under the first flash Mr. Cleyeland's free
trade message to Congress won applause. This
because it was bold, directed to single purpose,
and 10 line with majority of his party. With
reflection, however, the question now arises:
Was it diplomaticl Was it polite?
There are three Democratic States in which
free-trade views will not avail. Moreover,
these likewise are the very States in which the
presidential battle must be made. The free
trade sentiment of New York city is made up Of
the large importing circle. mostly of foreign
flavor. Outside; in the large towns. ali of
them manufacturing centers, protection ia popu-
lar New Jersey and Connecticut are essential
~ manufacturing States with millions invested
In valuable plants, which mark the many grow
ing cities within them.
It - safe to presuppose that business always
sdapts itself to its own advancement In these
later days with but little marking the distinction
Ietween the parties save on economic grounds,
men vote for their pockets rather than for
any party at the expense of the pocket. Natural,
,hen, 10 it to apprehend that Democratic man
afacturer cannot be held in the line of strict
allegiance to his party If by the party his bust
ness welfare is menaced.
Given this view OF the situation. Mr.. Cleve-
sud's message would seem to have aggravated
the division the tariff within the Democratic
lines rather than 20 have quieted it. In other
words, he keeps the party at war with itself,
for it is too well known that the Democracy
cannot unite on the recommendations he has
outlined Moreover, the fact is that no bill
pass Congress in accord with his views. The
spirit of compromise which was abroad he has
silenced. The OF the factions is kept up,
and the end may be that Congress will adjourn
with the Democratic House unable TO advance
single peg.
But, more far reaching than this the Presi-
dent has seriously put in jeopardy the next
presidential election. No matter what Congress
NAV or may not do il he is the nominee of his
party his message must be his platform. He
has left no chance for eouivocation in his bull to
the American people. On /: he must stand or
fall.
Early last week was in New York. Could
the President have heard the comments from
those who manage the Democratic battles he
would have given attentive ear. One prom
inent in its councils said:
President Cleveland had a thing, aud
be has thrown it away for chance. and poor
chance at that
But what specially aggravates those who
squarely face a condition rather than a senti
ment is the present the President has made the
Republican party. For years the leaders have
Judeavored to force the Democracy into the
very declaration Mr.. Cleveland has made. 1t
means for the Republicans the largest campaign
a
manufacturer who four years ago gave with
reluctance will now give with productivity. Presi-
dent Cleveland has removed the tariff from
the so-called attitude of "a local issue" to of
the proportions of the length and breadth of the
land. The message means the war of the iron,
coal, lumber, salt aud sheep Of the land against
the principles it advocates
To face condition as it exists" the Repub-
leans now paving the way to further put
the Democrats in a hole. They have. without
the noise of the caucus, agreed to solidly sup
port q resolution in McKinley's hands to repeal
entire the tobacco tax. 1T should come before
the House it would surely pass. for no matter
what grounds of general tariff policy the
votes OF the representatives of the tobacco
STATES. Should the Speaker refuse recognition,
as the leader of his party in Congress, he could
not divert from the party the responsibility Of
its defeat This would mean more Democratic
detection Virginia and North Carolina.
Since the Presidents heroic tariff message 1t
is amusing to hear the comments of the South
'ern members of the national committee touching
those who represent the Ne" York and New
England section. "Barnum," said one of them,
'-he don't like the Presidents message, don't hel
Well d-n it. he is nothing more than Repub-
ltcan. anyhow" .tBut Smith Weed don't like
it," was also added. who cares?' was the 20
joiuder. What does he amount TOT"
The method of thus discoursing with apparent
unconcern two such Democratic wheel-horses
thu two named seems to emphasize the intoXica-
tlon rather than the wisdom of politics Smith
Weed is power in New York politics. In bus
mess he is in iron. and the raw material ct that
To make iron ore free would be to impoverish if
not 20 fiD sncially destroy him. Such forces
these the President arrays against each other in
his own party camp in the almost vain hope
Minnesota over to the Democratic column. It
is a drowning man clutching at a straw aud
letting the plank drift by.